Station preselector



Oct. s, 1940.

D. c. MANNING ET AL STATION ERESELEGTOR Filed Jury 11, 193s s sheetsl-sneet 1 'lf' I9 5a, Eta 4.

INVENTORS. A 0174444 C.' M4N/wlw: V fa/mea A5'. DEP/rfa.

ATTORNEYJ.

Oct. 8, 1940. D. c. MANNING ET A1.

STATION PRESELECTDR 3 sneets-sneetz Filed July ll, 1938 INVENTORJ. /wv//va' ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 8, 1940- D. c. MANNING ET A1.

STATION PRESELECTOR Filed July l11, 193e' 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 78d @ze ha, )D

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INVENTORS.

m. M Ma., s CMM 4M N5 4l gw ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 8,.'1940 UNITED STATES A 2,217,066 s'rA'rIoN PnEs'ELEcTon Dana C. Manning Depweg, Hamilton, Crosley Corporation,

l ration oi Ohio Cincinnati, and Leonard Ohio, assigner: to The Cincinnati, Ohio, a corpo- Appueauon my 11,1938, serial No. 218,580

16 Claims.

Our invention has to do with equipment for radio sets such that certain preselected stations can be tuned in upon the actuation of a plung-l er, push button or the like. I-Iitherto, although other'. types have been suggested and used to some extent, there have been two main classes of such devices. In one type, one or more motors .are provided which rotate the condenser shaft, together with automatically acting means for breaking the circuit to the motors as soon as the predetermined tuning has been attained. In another type, a series of manually operated members are provided, and these members, through mechanical means either directly or indirectly actuate the condenser shaft. Each type has certain advantages and certain disadvantages. For example, the motor driven type is more flexible since it is actuated by push buttons or other electrical switches which may be located in any position desired, whether in the radio set or elsewhere. Such devices are, however, relativelyexpensive to construct. The mechanically operated type is usually very much cheaper, but the actuating devices must be 1ocated at the radio set, or at least must be located at the condenser. i

One object of our invention is to combine the advantages of the .two types in a construction which is very much cheaper than the first and not much more expensive than the second.

Another object of our invention is to combine the mechanical advantages, including rapidity of operation, cheapness of construction, and extreme accuracy of operation of the mechanical type of device with the flexibility of the electrically operated device.

Another object of our invention is to provide a mechanism wherein the effecting of a setting is very much simplified, to-wit, in our apparatus it is necessary only to push a button and then manually tune the set to the desired station and release the button, whereupon a setting of the apparatus for that station has been eiected.

Other objects of our'invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, or will be specifically pointed out hereinafter; and the several objects of our in` vention we accomplish by that particular structure and arrangement of parts of which we shall now describe an exemplary embodiment.

Reference, therefore, is now made to the draw# ings wherein: l

Figure 1 is a plan View of the ,actuating arrangement of our exemplary mechanism.

Fig. `2 is an elevational view taken from one side.

' Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken along the lines 3 3 o1' Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view with parts in sec- 5 tion showing the setting mechanism engaged.

Fig. 5 is asectional view which may be thought of as again taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1, but showing the apparatus in the actuated position.

Fig. 6 is an end view from paratus oi' Fig. l. f

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the apparatus from the other side as respects Fig. 2, with certain parts not shown.

Fig. 7a isa view of an alternative form of the mechanism at the left hand end of Fig. 7, showing provision vfor a diierent type of'indicator mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a plunger assembly.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a portionthereoi taken along the lines 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the rocking plate.

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram of the selector apparatus.

Fig. 12 is a front view oi an exemplary autof mobile radio installation which embodies the mechanism of our linvention.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view of several push buttons showing how they may be mounted for actuating the switches in the circuits shown in Fig. 11.

The terms plan view, have been applied to the drawings.

l0 the right of the apelevational view, etc. device as shown in the It is an advantage of our type of structure, however, that there is no necessary limitation upon the position of the automatic tuning means or of the gang condenser which is tunedy thereby. We have shown in our drawings an arrangement in which the shaft of the gang condenser is perpendicular to the front of the cabinet of the radio set; but any other desired positiony may be adopted.

In our invention we employ a mechanical means as a selector mechanism for positioning the condenser shaft. The mechanical means is electrically actuated; `but is not driven as by a rotating motor. Mechanical elements associated with the tuning device determine the position to which thecondenser shaft will be rotated thereby; and the function of the electrical motive means is simply to actuate and ap' ply power tothe mechanical elements which do 55 the positioning. This,so far as we are aware, is a novelty in automatic tuning devices.

In copending applications of Howard J. Tyzzer, Serial Nos. 200,731 and 192,258, flied respectively April '7, 1938, and February 24, 1938, there are described the types of mechanical tuning devices suitable for use in connection with our invention. A rocking plate is provided, which plate is either directly connected to the shaft of the gang condenser, or drives the shaft of the condenser through a suitable gearing. Plungers operate in a direction transversely to the plate and these plungers carry positioning means which are settable in character and which operate, upon the actuation of the plungers, to give to the plate a predetermined position. We have shown such a mechanism in connection with the present invention; but it will be understood that in accordance with our teachings, as will hereinafter be made more apparent, other types 'of mechanical actuating mechanisms may be employed.

Thus in the practice of our invention, we provide a mechanical means for positioning the condenser shaft, together with the: settable mechanism, whereby the position may be predetermined. We then provide electrically operated means individual to each of the positioning means for actuating them, to tune the radio set.. The electrical actuating means arey energized by a suitable source of power and are controlled by switches.

The settable element or elements of the positioning means are arranged selectively to be connected to a drive member which in turn may be connected to the condenser shaft. The push button or other switch elements which control the electromotive means hereinabove referred to, are so arranged that they can be actuated to effect the driving connection between the manual tuning means and the settable mechanism. When this is done, it will be clear that the manual tuning of the radio set will effect a change of the settable mechanism for the purpose hereinabove set forth.

The condenser shaft is normally connected both to the manual tuning mechanism and to the drive aforesaid. Provision is preferably made in accordance with our invention, first so that the drive mechanism is connected with the settable element or elements only when setting is desired, and second so that when setting is not desired and when the push button is actuated merely to tune the set -to a preselected station, the condenser shaft will be disconnected from the manual tuning and the drive element aforesaid, so that friction in the automatic tuning means is minimized.

We will proceed now with a specific description of our apparatus. In the form shown, there is a gang condenser indicated generally at I, having a housing 2 and an operating shaft 4. In another housing integral with or attached to the condenser housing, and indicated generally at 5, we mount a rocking plate 6. This plate may be ribbed for strength and may have pivoting ears 6a as shown in Fig. 10. It is also perforated at intervals as shown at 1 in the same figure. A gear segment 8 is mounted on the plate by means of an arm III so that the gear teeth are concenmc with the pivot points of the parte s. The

gear segment is at all times in mesh with a pinion II on the condenser shaft. It will -thus be seen-that the position of the pla-te 6 and the position of the shaft of the gang condenser bear a fixed relationship to each other, and further that as the plate 3 is moved. the condenser shaft will likewisebe moved.

The pinion II may be a double pinion with parts spring pressed with relation to each other so as to do awaywith lost motion. This is a. common expedient in condenser work and is not especially illustrated in our drawings.

In the housing 5 we place actuating solenoids indicated generally at I2, which actuate the plungers used for effecting the automatic station selection. 'I'here will be a solenoid for each of the plungers, since the plungers are to be actuated selectively. A perspective view of a plunger of the assembly is shown in Fig. 8. I3 indicates a portion of the plunger which ac-ts as an armature for the solenoid. To this part we attach an elongated sheet metal member I4, the outer end of which is arranged to slide in a forwardly disposed angularly bent portion 5a of the housing 5. This portion 5a is slotted to accept the end of the member I4. The member Il is supplied with a pair of ears I5 and I8 in which ears a shaft II is .journaled. The central portion of the shaft I'I is threaded or otherwise configured to form a worm gear I8. One end of the shaft is provided with a sprocket I9. The shaft is held in place by suitable collars, spring washers or the like, which do not need description. The end of the shaft opposite the sprocket I9 may be grooved as at 20 for a purpose hereinafter -to be described.

The member Il is fastened to the member I3 by means of a rivet forming a construction shown in Fig. 9. The rivet has a shank portion 2I which goesthrough the members I3 and I4 and is riveted thereagainst, and an enlarged collar portion 22 on which a member 23 presently to be described is pivotally mounted, and a still further enlarged stud portion 24.

The member 23 is, in the exemplary embodiment of our` invention, the settable element. It impinges upon the plate 6 and moves that plate to a predetermined position. It is a segment shaped member having rounded portions 23a for contacting the plate. The circumferential portion of the segment is provided with gear teeth 25, which mesh with the teeth of the worm I8. To prevent lost motion in the structure a coiled spring 26 is wound around the stud portion 24. One end of it is engaged in a perforation 2l in the member 23, and the other end of it is engaged in a perforation 28 in the stud 24.

It will be clear from the several drawings, e. g. Fig. 3, that if the armature member I3 is drawn inwardly by the solenoid winding I2, the member 23 will be brought against the rocking plate/6 and will position that plate, as will be readily understood. Further the position of the member 23 on the plunger assembly will determine the position to which a plate 6 will be moved. In turn the position of the member 23 on the plunger assembly can be Varied and adjusted by turning the screw or worm I8; and this can be done by means of the sprocket I9. The plate 6, being connected to the shaft of the condenser gang in a way which has already been described, will thus serve to position the shaft of the condenser gang and tune the radio set.

For smooth action in the operation 'of the plungers we prefer to cushion them in the solenoid windings. For this purpose a stud member 30 having a reduced end 3I is threaded into the casing member 5, so as to lie within the coil I2, and is held in place by a lock nut 32. A slot 33 in the end of the reduced threaded portion enables one to adjust the position of the member 30 as one would a set screw. Thus a cushioning effect is obtained. The other end of the member 30 is given a conical taper as at 34. which mates with a conical depression 29 in the end of the armature member I3. This construction increases the magnetic pull on the armature in the extreme position while providing a dash pot action for the plunger assembly. The adjustment of the stud 30 is such as to leave an air gap between it and the armature I3 whereby sticking of the armature is prevented.

The forward end of the plunger assembly may be slidably mounted in a slot, as aforesaid, in the member 5a. The armature member I3 may have a sliding t in a perforation in a cap plate 5b attached to the casing member 5. A tension spring 35 may engage. between a perforation in the member 5a and the groove 20 on the worm shaft of the plunger assembly. The purpose of this spring is to return the plunger assembly toinoperative position, as shown in Fig. 3, when the coil I2 is de-energized. The plungers normally rest in this inoperative position so as not to interfere with the positioning of the plate 5 by other plungers.

'I'he shaft 4 of the gang condenser is connected to a gear 36 which gear meshes with a pinion 31, mounted on a member 38, which forms one of the frame members of the assembly. To the pinion 31 a larger gear 39 is non-rotatably attached. This latter gear meshes with a pinion 48 on a shaft 4I, also journaled on the member 38. The shaft 4I may extend through the front wall 42 of the .radio set and may be provided with a manual tuning knob 43. A manual tuning knob may be otherwise connected with the condenser shaft, as will be clear; but the arrangement shown is a convenient one; it provides a Vernier drive in connection with the manual tuning, and the gear 39 may be employed, as will hereinafter be set forth, in connection with the means for effecting settings of the automatic tuning element.

In automatic tuning, however, it is advantageous to eliminate the frictional drag which would result from a continuous connection of the gang .condenser shaft with the manual tuning means by the gearing aforesaid. We therefore interpose between the condenser gang shaft 4 and the gear 35 a magnetic clutch, the details of which are shown in Fig. 7. Here the condenser shaft 4 has non-rotatably fastened to its end by means of a bolt 44, a stepped washer 45. The gear 36 is shown formed of two stampings, one of which (36a) engages the shoulder on the washer 45, and the other of which (356) is perforated to pass over the shaft. The shaft bears, against a collarha magnetic structure consisting of an annular cupped housing 46 of magnetic material containing a coil 41. AAn armature plate 48 is also mov- Aably mounted on the shaft 4 and acompression spring 49 serves to press this plate against the gear portions 36a and 36h. These portions therefore are normally held against the stepped washer with sufficient friction to cause the gear assembly 35 to move with the shaft 4. When the coil 41 is energized, however, the magnetic structure 46, 41 attracts the armature plate 48 and releases the friction on the gear assembly 38, so as to enable the shaft 4 to turn independently thereof or vice versa. Thus the eifect of energizing the magnetic clutch is to de-couple the condenser gang shaft from the manual tuning element hereinabove described.

In our drawings, we have shown no dial structure for the radio set. We have made it clear hereinabove that the flexibility of our apparatus is such that the assemblyshown in the various figures can be mounted in any position desired in the radio set. denser gang shaft extends normal to the face of the radio cabinet, it Will be found convenient to prolong the condenser shaft and attach a dial mechanism directly thereto. -Where however, the mechanism is located in other positions, it may be preferred to provide a dial element which is driven by a cable. Where this is desired a construction such as that shown in Fig. 7a may be adopted. Here like parts have been given like index numerals. 'Ihe equivalent of the stepped washer 45 is the part 50 formed upon or attached to the hub 5I o f a pulley 52, over which a cable 53 may be passed. The hub of the pulley may be fastened to the shaft 4 in any way desired, as by a set screw 54. The member may be stepped or not as desired.

For the actuation of the automatic tuning means, it is convenient to provide a series of push button switches. The electrical circuits in connection therewith will be taken up hereinafter.

lEach push button is arranged so that when normally depressed its particular solenoid I2 will be energized, and at the same time the winding 41 of the magnetic clutch on the condenser shaft is energized. Thus the condenser gang shaft is disconnected from the gearing arrangement 35 to 40 but remains connected to the rocking plate 5, through the gear and segment arrangement 8, I I. The plunger is drawn in, thereby pushing the plate and tuning the condenser. Upon release of the push button its solenoid I2 is de-energized, the magnetic clutch 41 is de-energized and the condenser gang shaft re-connected with the manual tuning means.

As we have indicated, one of the objects of our invention is the provision of means which simpliiles the setting of the automatic tuning means. To this end we journal a shaft 55 in suitable bracket members on our structure. This shaft bears at one end a wide pinion 56 which is at all times in mesh with thegear assembly 39. At intervals throughout its length, the shaft 55 bears pinion members 51 fixed thereto. 'I'here is one of these pinion members for each of the plunger assemblies heretofore described; and the pinion members 51 are intended to come into mesh respectively with pinion members I9 on the plunger assemblies. Two conditions must coincide, however, before this can be accomplished. First a plunger must be drawn in by its solenoid winding I 2`before the pinion I9 will come into position for meshing, and second, the shaft 55 must be drawn to the left before the pinion 51 will be in a position for meshing. For this purpose we mount on the end of the shaft 55 opposite the gear 56 an armature plate 58 which may, if desired, be held in place by a washer 59 and a screw 60. On a bracket 6I on the frame kof the device, we mount an annular cup shaped magnetic structure 62, containing a winding 63. A compression spring 64 engages between the bracket 6I and the armature plate 58 and/or washer 59. This spring keeps the shaft 55 in the disengaged position; but when the winding 63 is energized the armature plate 58 is drawn toward the magnetic structure 62, 63 so as to move the shaft 55 to the left, thus bringing the pinions 51 into meshing position. The pinion is wide enough` to keepin mesh If it is so mounted that the conwith the gear assembly 39 in all positions of the shaft 55.

In Figure 11 we have indicated at 64, 64a etc., a series of push buttons. The solenoid motive means for the device are indicatedy at I2, 12a etc. The power leads are shown at 65 and 66. In an automobile installation one of these leads will be connected to' the battery and the other to ground as will be understood. One terminal wire of each solenoid is shown connected to the lead 65. The other terminal wires are connected respectively with contact means 61, 61a etc. The other power lead 66 is connected to a cooperating switch contact 18, 18a etc. at each push button. that when any push button is actuated its respective solenoid is energized.

The coil 41 (which is the coil of the condenser de-coupling clutch) is shown connected both to the power lead 65 and to a bus 19. Switch contacts'80, 80a etc., one for each push button, are connected also to the bus 19. Thus when any push button is depressed the coil 41 is energized from the power leads, and the condenser de-coupled from the manual tuning arrangement.

The coil 63 (which is the means for moving the shaft 55) is shown connected both to the power lead 65 and to a bus 6|. Contact means 62, 82a, etc., one for each push button, are connected to the bus 8|. The switch mechanisms shown are conveniently made in the form of jack switches. The contact means 82, 82a, etc., are, however, locatedl sulciently interspaced from the other contact, that a further movement of the push button is required to bring these means into electrical contact with the other contact means.

In operation, when any of the push button means 64 etc. is normally depressed. the circuit is made to its appropriate solenoid and the set is tuned to the preselected station through the action of the mechanism hereinabove described. Simultaneously the coil 41 is energized to decouple the condenser from the manual tuning assembly so that this action can take place with lesser frictional resistance.

But if the push button is depressed further, the coil 63 is then energized. This connects the manual tuning means to the positioning means on the actuated plunger, so that a new setting may be effected merely by tuning the set to a new station by means of the manual tuning knob.

In Figure 12 we have shown the front lportion of a radio cabinet 83 equipped with our invention. The push buttons 64, 64a, etc., are so marked and extend through the front panel of the set. 85 is a volume control knob and on-and-off switch. 84 is an exemplary dial assembly. The manual tuning knob is shown 'at 43. A loud speaker grill opening is shown 'at 86.

In Figure 13 one way of arranging the push buttons to operate the jack switches is illustrated, the switch contacts being represented by the same reference characters as those shown in Figure 11. The buttons 64, 64a, 64b, etc., are mounted on shafts 68, 68a, 68h, etc., disposed in a. pair of brackets 69, 10 secured to the chassis of the set. Springs 1l, 11a, 1lb, etc., normally urge said buttons outwardly. When the buttons are depressed aga-inst the force of said springs they close the contacts of the jack switches and cornplete one or more of the circuits described.

Modifications may be made in our invention without departing from the spirit of it.

Having thus described our invention, what we This arrangement is such l in positioning said positionable means, manual tuning means, means operable to disconnect said manual tuning means and said condenser to effect a setting of said settable means, and means operable to connect said manual tuning means.

and said settable means, whereby said setting may be eifected throughv said manual tuning means.

2. In a radio set a condenser, automatic tuning means for said condenser including settable means, a manual tuning means for said condenser, means operable to disconnect said condenser and said manual tuning means to effect a setting of said settable means, and means operable to connect said settable means and said manual tuning means, whereby said setting may be effected through said manual tuning means.

3. In a radio set a condenser, positionable means connected with said condenser and means for moving said positionable means to predetermined positions, said moving means each comprising a plunger, means adjustable on said plunger for contacting said positionable means and a solenoid for driving said plunger, a manual tuning means for said condenser, a shaft, a. connection between said shaft and said manual tuning means, means on said shaft for varying the position of said adjustable means on said plungers and means. for moving said shaft to bring said last mentioned means into a position for adjusting said adjustable means.

4. In a radio set a series of plungers for effecting tuning, adjustable means on said plungers and means for moving said adjustable means, a shaft, means on said shaft for engaging said moving means, manual' means for turning said shaft and means for moving said shaft into a position of engagement with the means for moving said adjustable means.

5. In a radio set a series of plungers for effecting tuning, adjustable means on said plungers and means for moving said adjustable means, a shaft, means on said shaft for engaging said moving means, manual means for turning said shaft and means for moving said shaft into 'a position of engagement with the means for moving said adjustable means, mid last mentioned means comprising electromagnetic means.

6. In a radio set a plurality of plungers, adjustable means on said plungers, sprocket means in connection; with said adjustable means, a shaft, sprocket means on said shaft, means for moving said shaft into and out of a position for engagement, the relationship of said parts being such that when said shaft is in a position for engagement, engagement of said sprocket means will be effected upon movement of a plunger.

7. In a radio set automatic tuning means comprising a series of plungers, a condenser, a connection between said condenser and said automatic tuning means, a manual tuning means, a connection between said manual tuning means and said condenser including a clutch, adjustable means on said plungers, means for adjusting said adjustable means, and a series of actuating devices arranged selectively to actuate said plungers and to operate said clutch upon one movement, and upon a further movement to move said adjustable means into engagement.

8. In a radio set a condenser, automatic tuning means connected with said condenser and including plungers and solenoid actuating devices, a manual tuning means and a connection between said manual tuning means and said condenser including a magnetic clutch and a series of push buttons and circuits in connection with said push buttons, whereby upon the actuation of a push button the solenoid appropriate .thereto is energized and concurrently said magnetic clutch is disengaged.

9. In a radio set a condenser, automatic tuning means connected with said condenser and including plungers and solenoid actuating devices, a manual tuning means and a connection between said manual tuning means and said condenser including a magnetic clutch and a series of push buttons and circuits in connecvtion with said push buttons, whereby upon the actuation o f a push button the solenoid appropriate thereto is energized and concurrently said magnetic clutch is disengaged, settable means in connection with said plungers, adjusting means for said settable means, electric means for moving said adjusting means into a position of engagement, and a circuit for said electrical means common to said several push buttons.

10. In a radio set a condenser, automatic tuning means connected with said condenser and including plungers and solenoid actuating devices, a manual tuning means and a connection between said manual tuning means and said condenser including a magnetic clutch and a series of push buttons and circuits in connection with said push buttons, whereby upon the actuation of a push button the solenoid appropriate thereto is energized and concurrently said magnetic clutch is disengaged, settable means in connection with said plungers, adjusting means for said settable means, electric means i'or moving said adjusting means into a position of engagement, and a circuit for said electrical means common to said several push buttons, switch means for said last mentioned circuit so arranged with respect to said push buttons as to be actuated thereby upon a greater than normal movement oi said push buttons.

11'. In a radio set a variable condenser, a plurality of automatic tuning means for said condenser, each oi said tuning means including a settable mechanism, a manual tuning means for said condenser, a plurality oi' gears driven by said manual tuning means, and means for selectively engaging one oi' said gears with one oi' said settable mechanisms for positioning said settable mechanism upon operation of said manual tuning means. I

12. In a radio set a variable condenser, a plurality of automatic tuning means for said condenser, each of said tuning means including a settable mechanism, a manual tuning means for said condenser, a plurality of gears driven by said manual tuning means, and means operable upon actuation of one of said automatic tuning means for engaging one of said gears with the settable mechanism of said actuated automatic" tuning means, for positioning said settable mechanism upon operation of said manual tuning means.

13. In a radio set a variable condenser, a plurality of automatic tuning means for said condenser, each including a settable mechanism, a manual tuning means for said condenser, and means effective upon the actuation of one of said automatic tuning means for disconnecting said manual tuning means from said condenser and for connecting said manual tuning means to the settable mechanism oi said actuated automatic tuning means for the positioning of said settable mechanism upon the operation of said manual tuning means.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said automatic tuning means are actuable to position said condenser, and in which the said means for disconnecting and connecting, become effective upon further actuation of sai automatic tuning means.

15. In a radio set a variable condenser, a plurality oi automatic tuning means for said condenser, each including a settable mechanism, a gear mounted on each of said tuning means for positioning said settable mechanism, a manual tuning means for said condenser, a plurality of gears driven by said manual tuning means, and means for selectively engaging one of said last mentioned gears with the gear of one of said automatic tuning means.

16. In a radio set a variable condenser, a plurality oi' automatic tuning means for said condenser, each including a settable mechanism, gear means in connection with each of said tuning means for positioning said settable mechanism, a nanual tuning means for said condenser, gear means driven by said manual tuning means, and means for selectively etlecting geared connection between said manual tuning means and one o1' said settable mechanisms.

DANA C. MANNING. LEONARD S.' DEPWEG. 

